Cosplay: Interview with ShiveeeJam

I have the lovely opportunity to interview cosplayers from all over, sharing their stories with the wonderful people who love cosplay just as much as I do. I’m so happy to be sharing their experiences with all of you!

I’m kicking off the first installment by chatting with a lovely new cosplayer known as Shiveeejam. Though she has only created one costume so far (Lady Deadpool), her cosplay debut made a huge splash. Luckily she had time to sit down with me and answer some questions about getting into cosplay, the cosplay community, and where her amazing first costume came from.

Amber Hunt (Nerd Reactor): So, how did you get the name Shiveeejam in the first place?

Shiveeejam: Everyone asks me this so I should explain! High school, 2009. It’s a combination of my first name, nickname and the first three letters of my last name with “eee” in the middle.

Everyone at school called me “Shiv” or “Shivy” (I thought it was “soooo clever” to make it “Shiveee”), and at the time I changed my gamertag to “Shiveeejam”. I started using it as a YouTube alias and everything went from there. In all seriousness though, I never expected to be stuck with it, and now I am.

Nerd Reactor: So why did you start cosplaying, and what was your first costume?

Shiveeejam: It was a part of the community I loved that I hadn’t experienced yet. I have had plenty of friends who are amazing cosplayers and very talented in what they do, so I thought to myself, “I want to try that one day.” It probably wasn’t until Sydney Supanova, interviewing cosplayers for a YouYube channel that I went, “I need to try that.”

Lady Deadpool, she was my first “official” cosplay. I mean, I’ve dressed up before in silly outfits for theme nights and for fun before, but that was the first time I actually sat down with the idea of making a cosplay, and finished it.

Nerd Reactor: Do you enjoy everything so far?

Shiveeejam: It’s been crazy so far! I love every moment of it. It can be tough and stressful at times, but in the end it is worth it for the finished product.

Nerd Reactor: Have you ever been put down for being a cosplayer, or just being involved in cosplay itself?

Shiveeejam: Absolutely. I think it comes with the territory. Touching on what I was saying before, luckily I haven’t had a lot of fellow cosplayer issues. Only one person directed hate at me from the community. The majority of nasty comments that would put me down on the internet are often just from people who clearly WANT to cause [a rise] through a negative response. I just think of it as fishing – they’re baiting the hook and waiting for a bite. The best thing to do is not to bite.

Nerd Reactor: So what advice do you have for people wanting to cosplay?

Shiveeejam: Just do it, jump in both feet first. Don’t let anyone tell you differently or that you can’t. Cosplay is becoming a really huge part of pop culture and conventions now, but just because “everyone’s” doing it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. Give it a go, if you enjoy it keep doing it.

Nerd Reactor: Okay, here’s my favorite question: What weird or interesting stories do you have to tell about cosplaying?

Shiveeejam: My first convention in cosplay was only recently, and the most insane thing was hearing people through the sea of people as you’re moving going, “Hey, are you Shiveeejam?!” because they recognize you – that was surreal. It was a pretty cool moment.

As for real stories, I have a few, but I can’t think of a single moment to tell. This year’s conventions for me have been the best ones. I had the chance to interview a bunch of celebrities at Sydney Supanova in July doing my presenter work. I ended up doing “yoga” on the floor of the media room after our interview with voice actor Greg Cipes (Michaelangelo from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Kevin Levin from Ben 10). It’s on YouTube, and if you probably asked me that the year before if I’d be doing it, I would have laughed at you. I hope to keep doing that in the future, presenting was another lucky moment for me.

End of Interview

Even though Shiveeejam is new to cosplaying, she really knows how to inspire people. She has even inspired me just by talking to her. If you want to keep up with her, and see even more pictures of her cosplay, you can find her on Facebook and YouTube!